My name is Melia Person, and I’m honored to share that I’ve been selected for a competitive internship at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in Washington, D.C. This summer, I’ll be working on the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, contributing to the exhibition Women at the Wheel: Women in Lowrider Culture a project that speaks directly to my personal story, my heritage, and my vision as an emerging curator.

But to take part, I’ll need your help.

I’m a proud Santa Monica College student. Santa Monica College has, of course, allowed me to grow immensely as a scholar and a creative, but more importantly, as a person who understands the kind of curator I want to become. My goal is to create spaces where art and culture aren’t locked behind glass, but live, breathe, and celebrate the stories of people whose voices are too often left out.

I see the phrase “for us, by us” as my guiding light. My work uplifts the lived experiences, creativity, and joy of marginalized communities. I strive to turn traditional white-box galleries into vibrant, joyful, immersive spaces — filled with rhythm, history, and community. That’s exactly why Women at the Wheel is such a meaningful project for me.

This exhibit gives long-overdue recognition to the women behind the scenes of lowrider culture, women who build, design, and drive, even when they’re often reduced to background characters. As a native Angeleno, I’ve grown up around this culture, spending many a Friday night on Van Nuys Boulevard listening to the roar of engines and gazing at veritable disco balls of chrome under neon lights. My grandfather was a mechanic who brought dreams to life through cars. My earliest memories are begging my uncle for a spin in his Miata. Being selected to help Women at the Wheel come to life feels like coming full circle.

While the Smithsonian provides a small stipend, living and working in Washington, D.C., for a month is expensive. Your contribution will help me cover essential costs like:

Housing

Airfare from Los Angeles to D.C.

Meals and groceries

Local transportation (Metro pass)

Every dollar you give will go directly toward ensuring I can be present, focused, and fully committed to this life-changing opportunity. This isn’t just a trip, it’s my first big leap toward building a more inclusive future for the arts.

Representation in the arts isn’t a luxury it’s a necessity. We need more cultural workers who understand community, who fight for inclusion, and who don’t just want to show art, but to share lives, stories, and truths.

My work isn’t about putting things on walls it’s about building bridges. That’s what this internship allows me to do. That’s what you can help make possible.

Whether you can donate or share this with your network, I’m deeply grateful. Thank you for believing in me, in the power of culture, and in the necessity of voices like mine being at the table and behind the exhibit.

With gratitude,

Melia Person